unknown cause of feather loss

[Member 441608]

I have 9 chickens.
3 Buff Orpingtons
2 Rhode Island Reds
2Black sex-links(black stars)
and 2 Barred rocks (one is a roo.)


They are a little over a year and a half and they never got their feathers back from their 13-14 month molt. Three chickens have feathers that look nice---- the rooster, the lead hen, and another hen who is currently broody and hardly ever gets out of the egg boxes. (These are the barred rock rooster and the two black stars.)
Recently, I caught the rooster pulling feathers out of the back of a Buff Orpington with no mating intended. He grabbed a beak full the ripped and repeated the process. Earlier this year, I caught the lead hen ripping feathers out of the back of a different Orpington. I would prefer not to eat my roo unless absolutely necessary. I have thought about removing the roo however I am afraid next time I get in the pen(after solitude confinement) he will attack me like he did when he was younger. I do not know who is doing the feather ripping. I have researched the amount of space needed for a chicken and I have ample space in the run and coop. Any answers will be appreciated.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

How big is your set up. To me I would suspect your rooster and top hens are trying to drive out the lower members by attacking them, which will happen when the territory is too small to support all the members of a flock.

I would start by removing the rooster, there's no reason either you or your hens should put up with his behavior. Than you may need address the size of your set up depending on what the size of it is.

 

[Member 441608]

As I said, I have ample space. Of the top of my head I cannot give the exact size of everything but I know it is enough.

thanks for the help!

 

[chickens really]

What percent is the protein in the diet?
Sounds like more protein is needed....Or if feeding lots of scraps it dilutes the quality of the feed....

 

[centrarchid]

Diet, particularly a need for more protein, as might be provided by a grower feed worth considering.

I am not confident in assertion concerning space. Rather disappointed in the response as not respectful.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

As I said, I have ample space. Of the top of my head I cannot give the exact size of everything but I know it is enough.

thanks for the help!

Have you observed these birds eating the feathers? Which would indicate a protein deficiency, otherwise if they are ripping them out and than spitting them out it's generally from aggression.

 

[azygous]

Wow! I've had my share of feather pickers but never had a rooster as a culprit. From the way you describe how he's attacking the hen, it's pure aggression, not a nutritional issue.

The easiest way to solve the problem with the rooster's behavior is to butcher him or re-home him. If you are attached to him and wish to keep him, pinless peepers can sometimes work wonders with feather pickers.

I have a young EE hen who was obsessively yanking feathers from everyone, I installed peepers on her, and she immediately stopped the behavior.

As I said, I've had plenty of feather pickers over the years, and I'm pretty certain they've been getting all the protein they need from the 20% all flock feed. I've concluded some chickens are just obsessed and it's in their brains, not their diet.

 

[Member 441608]

oldhenlikesdogs-----No, they do not eat the feathers, they just remove the feathers.

Could I get some ideas on what do to with aggressive rooster? I would like to keep him but if I must, for the welfare of the hens, I will re-home or put the pot on.

 

[Member 441608]

I feed a 16% but I used to use a 20%. I probably should change to a 20% again.....

 

[lazy gardener]

Is the interior of your coop at least 36 sq. ft. of open space, not counting the space taken up by feed and water and nest boxes? Is your run at least 90 sq. feet? While the above numbers match the minimum recommendation of space for a back yard flock, that size coop does not allow enough room for a bird who is at the bottom of the pecking order to satisfy flock behavior protocal. When a hen or a roo gives the stink eye to an underling, the silent message is this: "Get out of my space, or I'm gonna rip your face off." A small set up does not allow the underling to retreat far enough, or get out of sight. If the underling doesn't go far enough away, her behavior is considered to be a challenge, and she WILL be attacked. In a small coop, it's NOT POSSIBLE for the hen to retreat far enough for safety.

I would assess the set up, see if there is any way to enlarge it. Perhaps let half or all of the flock out to free range during the day. Add some deep litter in the run (if you have not yet done so). Give them lots of greenery to work through. Add some hay bales, some pallets or other perching and hiding opportunities.

If after several weeks with these changes, the aggression does not cease, I would cull the roo, and perhaps cull a few more problem birds.

You have expressed that you are fearful of the roo. That alone is good reason to cull him.